Our nation is in the midst of a Human Rights Crisis. As you are all aware, recent news reports over the past few days have shed light on the deplorable conditions of the Detention Facilities holding Migrant Children. The current border crisis stems from the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance policy” implemented last year. The policy resulted in thousands of children being separated from their families while attempting to enter the U.S. seeking asylum through the Mexican border.
In addition, in response to President Trump’s Tweets last weekend about increasing ICE Raids and his deadline for Congress to reach an agreement on immigration reform in the next two weeks and a solution to the border crisis, SSSWA felt is was pertinent to respond as an organization.
Attached is a copy of our Social Justice Response and a Call to Action to School Social Workers to contact their Senators urging them to pass the following 2 Senate bills – S. 874 and S. 879 – which would provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers brought to this country as minors, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, and people granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for humanitarian reasons—populations that included tens of thousands of educators across the country. On June 5th, the House passed a bill that would offer a path to citizenship to more than 2 million undocumented immigrants, including “dreamers” who were brought to the United States as children. The vote was 237 to 187 for the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would grant dreamers 10 years of legal residence status if they meet certain requirements. They would then receive permanent green cards after completing at least two years of higher education or military service, or after working for three years. Now it is time for the Senate to support the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019.
As School Social Workers, we need all of us to unite, mobilize, stand up and make our voices heard on this issue. Please share the SSWAA Social Justice Statement on Migrant Children’s Human Rights and Action Alert with your Boards and Members! The injustices that are occurring require us to be a voice for those whose voices are being suppressed. As always, we appreciate your leadership. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you so much for taking Action!!!!
SSWAA-ACTION-ALERT_Dream-Promise-Act_062419.pdf
